The narrative of Vilaflor de Chasna, located in the southern region of Tenerife, is not merely a tale of conquests and economic advancement; it also encapsulates a saga of social conflict and struggles for identity and territory. From its origins in the 16th century to the establishment of its historical legacy today, Vilaflor has experienced significant events and disputes involving the Soler family, the founders of the town, and their interactions with the local inhabitants. These tensions have, in both positive and negative ways, shaped the contemporary character of the Chasnera community.
In a bid to maintain the historical identity of Vilaflor, Chasna, the Cabildo of Tenerife acquired the Casa de los Soler in 2023. This edifice represents an iconic example of traditional Canarian architecture and serves as a direct testament to the family’s heritage. The acquisition, overseen by Josefa Mesa Mora, the Heritage Advisor during the previous term, was a decision she described as “a priority purchase.” Mora underscores the rarity of buildings with such attributes, asserting that “they either do not exist or are extremely scarce,” and emphasises that acquiring properties like this must surely be a heritage imperative.
This estate was appraised by its seller, a relative of this long-standing lineage, at around 500,000 euros, facilitating the transaction through two payments to ensure this legacy remained intact.
REHABILITATION
In June of the previous year, the Cabildo commenced structural rehabilitation of the residence, aiming to transform the property into an ecomuseum. “It is a part of our identity,” stated Mesa Mora about the Casa Soler acquisition, stressing the importance of safeguarding this heritage of considerable historical significance. “If the administrations do not take it upon themselves, our identity and symbols will vanish.”
The present administration, led by Mayor Agustina Beltrán, is actively pursuing initiatives to facilitate public access to this iconic site, working in tandem with the Cabildo. The aim is to convert Casa Soler into a community centre while preserving its historical and artistic worth, reinforcing its significance within Vilaflor.
The origins of Vilaflor can be traced back to the early 16th century, when the Catalan merchant Pedro Soler, following his marriage to Juana de Padilla, the daughter of Juan Martín de Padilla, became the steward of the Chasna lands. This arrangement not only secured control over vast areas of land and vital water resources, but also initiated a phase of economic development in the region. Nelson Díaz Frías, the official chronicler of Vilaflor de Chasna, elaborates on the foundation context: “Pedro Soler was a Catalan merchant who wed the sole daughter and heiress of Juan Martín de Padilla.”
In 1530, his father-in-law bestowed upon him land and water for exploitation. Consequently, around that year, Pedro Soler established the town of Vilaflor, attracting settlers and enabling the diversion of water from the mountains to nourish the orchards.
To bolster agricultural production, the Soler family also erected a sugar mill at a site known as El Llano del Ingenio, which operated until American competition led the sugar industry in the Canary Islands to ruin. “The location was perfect for this enterprise; it had optimal conditions,” the chronicler notes.
Sugar cane requires the land to be situated at 300 metres in the north or 350-400 metres in the south of the island, attributed to the somewhat drier climate in these areas, thus facilitating the sugarcane fields, including those owned by the Soler family, located in this region. The influx of specialised workers and agrarians facilitated the consolidation of a nascent urban centre, centred around the original church of San Pedro, dedicated to the founding saint.
The Mayorazgo of Chasna
The territorial riches and influence of the Soler family reached their zenith with the establishment of the Mayorazgo de Chasna, a legal construct (abolished in the 19th century in Spain) that perpetually bound family assets, ensuring direct descendants inherited all properties without any possibility of division or distribution to other lineages. Despite its role in the initial growth of Vilaflor, this estate engendered tensions between the Soler family and the area’s residents. Discontent arose as locals were obligated to pay annual tributes to the Solers. “The townsfolk had to render an annual tribute every San Pedro’s Day to the Soler family for utilising the lands upon which they later constructed their homes,” explains Díaz Frías.
This condition lasted into the 19th century, sowing the seeds of a series of social and legal disputes that ultimately escalated into tragic consequences.
The Murder of the Marquis
Conflicts between the Soler family and the residents of Vilaflor unfolded over various episodes that culminated in a rupture following a tragic chapter in the town’s history, which remains unresolved to this day. Tensions escalated during the 1830s after a confrontation erupted between the Solers and the mayor. This strife emerged because the family refused the councillor a seat on the bench of the Church of San Pedro, asserting that “it was built by them.” Regardless of the veracity of this claim, the hostility soon spread throughout Vilaflor. This animosity peaked with the assassination of Alonso Chirino de Hoyo, VII Marquis of La Fuente de Las Palmas and the last inheritor of the Mayorazgo of Chasna. In August 1840, Alonso Chirino was murdered by masked assailants whilst returning home, an act that marked the end of an era of dominance and territorial control. “The murder of the Marquis was a tragic event that has lingered in the collective memory of the Chasneros… giving rise to the local saying ‘They say they killed the Marquis?’ ‘That’s the tale,’” the chronicler notes, alluding to the silence of residents, who never disclosed the identities of the culprits.
This incident signalled the conclusion of a long-standing period of conflict between the Solers and the people of Vilaflor. What began as cooperative relationships under Pedro Soler transformed into a system of feudal authority, ultimately clashing with the settlers’ aspirations for freedom and belonging.
Today, Vilaflor symbolises historical memory in Tenerife. The Soler House stands as a concrete reminder of the establishment of Vilaflor and the Soler family’s involvement in the narrative of the Abona region. Thanks to recent acquisition and restoration initiatives by the Cabildo of Tenerife, this architectural heritage will be safeguarded as part of the cultural legacy and identity of the island.
